Tuna Eye Soup Culinary Guide: Sustainable Food Tours in Phu Yen

A Bold Culinary Gem in Tuy Hoa

Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ, or tuna eye soup, is a celebrated delicacy in Phu Yen, drawing food enthusiasts to Tuy Hoa, located 450 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and 560 km south of Hanoi. Following Vietnam’s 2025 administrative changes, this rich, aromatic dish, crafted from Phu Yen’s world-renowned tuna, attracts over 30,000 visitors annually to Tuy Hoa’s eateries and markets. Priced at $2–$5 per serving (50,000–125,000 VND), this unique soup offers a taste of Phu Yen’s maritime heritage, making it a must-try for eco-conscious foodies and cultural explorers.

Rooted in Tuy Hoa’s fishing culture, Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ combines the fatty, savory tuna eye with medicinal herbs and local spices, served in earthenware jars for an authentic experience. Sustainable fishing practices and biodegradable packaging preserve Phu Yen’s coastal ecosystem. The tropical climate (dry season: January–August, 22–30°C or 71.6–86°F; rainy season: September–December, 20–28°C or 68–82.4°F) ensures year-round dining opportunities. Legend Travel Group’s eco-friendly food tours guide you through this culinary treasure, supporting local fishers and sustainable initiatives. Book via links in this guide or contact us at WhatsApp: +84825862222 or email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com!

Administrative Note

Vietnam’s 2025 restructuring merged Phu Yen into Dak Lak Province, with Phu Yen and Tuy Hoa now wards. Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ remains a culinary highlight in Tuy Hoa, easily accessible from the city center, a key hub for food tourism.

With over 17 years as Southeast Asia’s leading sustainable tourism operator, Legend Travel Group crafts eco-friendly culinary tours in Phu Yen, blending gastronomic exploration with cultural immersion. Our low-impact transport (electric scooters, bicycles) and English-speaking guides share insights on local seafood traditions, sustainable fishing, and green practices. Supporting Tuy Hoa’s fishing communities, our tours align with Vietnam’s sustainability goals. Enjoy transparent pricing, free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure, and 24/7 support. Sign up for a Legend Travel Group account to track our guides and book eco-tours via links on this page!

Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ is Phu Yen’s signature dish, showcasing the region’s thriving tuna industry, which exports globally from Phuoc Dong and Dong Tac ports. The dish features large, fresh tuna eyes, meticulously cleaned and slow-cooked in earthenware jars with a broth of lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and medicinal herbs like goji berries and ginseng, creating a rich, slightly spicy flavor. Served with shiso leaves, peanuts, green onions, and baked Vietnamese rice paper, it offers a bold yet balanced taste. Sustainable sourcing from Phu Yen’s regulated fisheries and eco-friendly dining practices, such as biodegradable serveware, make this dish a model of Tuy Hoa’s culinary heritage, celebrated in local restaurants and markets.

These sustainable activities, costing $2–$15, blend food and culture:

1. Taste Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ at Local Eateries

Savor tuna eye soup with shiso leaves, best at 6:00 PM, costing $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND) at Tuy Hoa restaurants. Enjoy coastal vibes.

• Cost: $2–$5; market visits free.

• Hours: Daily, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Choose eateries with biodegradable serveware; support local vendors.

• Tip: Try at “30 Tháng 4” Square; included in Legend Travel Group’s Phu Yen Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

2. Join a Tuna Eye Soup Cooking Class

Learn to cook Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ, best at 10:00 AM, with guided workshops at $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND). Master herb-infused broths.

• Cost: $5–$10; market visits free.

• Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Use sustainable ingredients; avoid plastic packaging.

• Tip: Book at Tuy Hoa Central Market; included in Legend Travel Group’s Phu Yen Culinary Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

3. Visit Tuna Markets

Explore fresh tuna at Tuy Hoa’s markets, best at 7:00 AM, with guided tours at $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND). Learn about sustainable fishing.

• Cost: $3–$5; market entry free.

• Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Use reusable bags; buy from local fishers.

• Tip: Visit Phuoc Dong Market; included in Legend Travel Group’s Phu Yen Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80).

4. Dine at an Eco-Homestay

Enjoy Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ at coastal homestays, best at 6:00 PM, for $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND) with meals included. Experience local hospitality.

• Cost: $10–$15; meals $2–$5.

• Hours: Check-in 2:00 PM; check-out 12:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Choose homestays with biodegradable amenities; support local families.

• Tip: Book via Legend Travel Group for cultural dining; included in Phu Yen Coastal Eco-Tour ($100–$150).

5. Attend a Seafood Festival

Taste tuna eye soup during Phu Yen’s seafood festivals (Lunar April), best at 5:00 PM, with dishes at $2–$5 and free entry. Enjoy cultural performances.

• Cost: $2–$5; entry free.

• Hours: Seasonal, 4:00 PM–9:00 PM.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Support biodegradable festival materials; respect traditions.

• Tip: Plan for Lunar April; included in Legend Travel Group’s Phu Yen Cultural Eco-Tour ($100–$150).

Visit from January to August for dry, warm weather (22–30°C or 71.6–86°F), ideal for market visits and outdoor dining. The rainy season (September–December) adds lush scenery but may require rain gear. Weekdays (Monday–Thursday) see 50–150 visitors at Tuy Hoa’s eateries, compared to 200–600 during weekends and festivals like Lunar April’s seafood events. Early mornings (6:00–9:00 AM) are best for market tours, while evenings (5:00–8:00 PM) suit dining with coastal breezes.

Tuy Hoa, in Phu Yen, is 450 km from Ho Chi Minh City (7–8 hours) and 560 km from Hanoi (9–10 hours):

• By Private Car: Drive 7–8 hours from Ho Chi Minh City via National Highway 1A, costing $80–$120 (2,000,000–3,000,000 VND) round-trip for 4 people. Book via Legend Travel Group.

• By Electric Taxi (Xanh SM): Eco-friendly VinFast taxis, 7–8 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, $70–$100 (1,750,000–2,500,000 VND) one-way. Use Xanh SM app.

• By Motorcycle: Ride from Ho Chi Minh City, 7–8 hours, $20–$30 (500,000–750,000 VND) fuel; rental $7–$12/day (175,000–300,000 VND). Helmets mandatory (fines up to $40 or 1,000,000 VND).

• By Public Bus: Sleeper buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa (7–8 hours, $10–$15 or 250,000–375,000 VND) via Phuong Trang. Book online.

• By Train: SE trains to Tuy Hoa Station from Ho Chi Minh City (8–9 hours, $15–$25 or 375,000–625,000 VND). Book via Vietnam Railways.

• By Flight: Fly to Tuy Hoa Airport (VTS) from Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour, $30–$60 or 750,000–1,500,000 VND), then Xanh SM taxi to city center (15 min, $3–$5 or 75,000–125,000 VND).

• Navigation Tip: Save “Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen” in offline maps (Maps.me); follow signs to Tuy Hoa Central Market. Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).

• Eco-Friendly Note: Xanh SM taxis or trains reduce emissions; bicycles in Tuy Hoa minimize impact.

• Safety: Secure valuables; confirm bus/taxi fares.

Pack these essentials for a sustainable trip:

• Clothing: Light layers, comfortable shoes; waterproof jacket ($3–$7 or 75,000–175,000 VND) for rainy season.

• Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses.

• Travel Essentials: Reusable water bottle, compact umbrella ($2–$5), mosquito repellent ($0.50 or 12,500 VND), hand sanitizer ($0.50).

• Tech Gear: Smartphone with Grab/Xanh SM apps, offline maps, portable charger; Vietnamese SIM card ($5–$10).

• Culinary Gear: Small backpack, reusable tote for market purchases ($1–$2).

• Documents: Passport copy, travel insurance, VND (10,000–50,000 notes).

• Eco-Friendly Items: Biodegradable wipes; reusable containers for leftovers.

• Extras: Cash for vendors; notebook for recipe notes.
  Tip: Carry small VND notes for dining ($2–$5) or souvenirs ($2–$5).

Costs for Tuna Eye Soup Experiences

Culinary and Activity Fees

• Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ (Per Serving): $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).

• Cooking Class: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND).

• Tuna Market Tour: $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND).

• Eco-Homestay with Meal: $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND).

• Festival Dishes: $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).

• Snacks (e.g., Sticky Rice): $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND).

• Drinks (Water, Coffee): $0.30–$1 (7,000–25,000 VND).

• Souvenirs (e.g., Local Crafts): $2–$5 (50,000–125,000 VND).

• Guided Eco-Tour: $15–$25 (375,000–625,000 VND).

Transportation (Round-Trip, from Tuy Hoa Center)

• Private Car: $5–$8 (125,000–200,000 VND).

• Xanh SM Electric Taxi: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND).

• Motorcycle: $0.50–$1 (12,500–25,000 VND) fuel; rental $7–$12/day.

• Bicycle Rental: $2–$5/day (50,000–125,000 VND).

• Walking: Free.

• Parking: $0.80–$1.20 (20,000–30,000 VND).

• SIM Card: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND).

Total Daily Cost (Per Person, from Tuy Hoa)

• Budget: $5–$15 (walking, dining).

• Mid-range: $20–$35 (taxi, dining, cooking class).

• Luxury: $50–$80 (private car, premium tour, homestay).
  Tip: Budget for dining ($2–$5) and transport ($0–$10); carry cash for vendors (no cards accepted).

• Timing: Visit markets at 6:00–9:00 AM for fresh tuna; January–August for dry weather. Weekdays for fewer crowds (50–150 vs. 200–600 during festivals). Plan for Lunar April’s seafood festivals.

• Booking: Reserve Legend Travel Group’s tours 24–48 hours ahead for guided culinary experiences. Book cooking classes at Tuy Hoa Central Market.

• Sustainability: Choose eateries with biodegradable serveware; bring reusable bags. Support local fishers for snacks ($0.50–$2) or crafts ($2–$5).

• Navigation: Save “Tuy Hoa Central Market, Phu Yen” in offline maps; ask locals for Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ restaurants.

• Safety: Secure valuables; confirm taxi fares. Verify dish authenticity at eateries.

• Weather: Dry season for easy market visits; rainy season needs rain gear ($3–$7) and waterproof bags ($3–$7). Check AccuWeather.

• Cultural Respect: Greet with “xin chào”; respect vendor spaces. Avoid haggling excessively.

• Health: Drink bottled water ($0.50); carry mosquito repellent and sanitizer.

Our eco-friendly tours showcase Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ’s bold flavors:

• Phu Yen Food Eco-Tour ($50–$80/person, 1 day): Electric scooter from Tuy Hoa for tuna eye soup tasting, market tour, and cooking class, with local lunch ($2–$5). Includes guide, transport.

• Phu Yen Culinary Eco-Tour ($100–$150/person, 2 days): Tuna eye soup, O Loan Lagoon cockles, and eco-homestay. Includes meals, eco-transfers.

• Phu Yen Coastal & Culinary Explorer ($250–$400/person, 3 days): Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ, Ganh Da Dia, Tuy Hoa Beach, and homestays. Includes meals, guides. Prices include guides, eco-transfers, fees. 15% off for groups of 8+! Sign up for an account to track tours and book now via links!

Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ, Phu Yen’s tuna eye soup, is a culinary masterpiece, offering rich, herb-infused flavors for $2–$5 per serving, drawing 30,000+ visitors yearly to Tuy Hoa. This dish blends Phu Yen’s fishing heritage with sustainable practices, from eco-friendly dining to regulated tuna sourcing. Legend Travel Group’s Phu Yen Tours ensure a green, immersive journey, preserving Phu Yen’s cultural allure. From market tours to festival feasts, Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ promises an unforgettable gastronomic adventure. Sign up for a Legend Travel Group account, browse our featured tours, and book your Phu Yen Travel eco-journey today!
Ready to savor Sup Mắt Cá Ngừ? Reserve your sustainable tour with Legend Travel Group and embark on a culinary eco-adventure in Phu Yen!

Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.

Sources: By Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group